Jimmy Carter's final journey through Georgia underway after funeral service in Washington

After Carter's family disembarked the plane, his casket was carried from the plane and transferred to the hearse. 

The family then moved to the motorcade to follow it to the private ceremony in Plains. He will be buried at the family's peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. 

The plane carrying Carter's remains landing Thursday around 3:30 p.m. at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Moore, Georgia.

There will be a military ceremony and then he will travel via motorcade through Richland and Preston, Georgia to Plains. A service will be held at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. 

Carter's casket was transferred from the hearse during a departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews as he is flown back to Georgia.

After the Carter family disembarked, ceremonial troops presented arms and rendered honors — the four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute. 

Following the honors, the U.S. Air Force Band played O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team carried the late president's remains through the honor cordon to the aircraft loader. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearer team with Carter's remains, and presidential color. 

The body bearers then transferred the casket to the aircraft carrier, and the family followed. The Special Honor Guard remained in position to render one final salute as the aircraft departed Joint Base Andrews for Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Ga.

The late president's funeral concluded shortly after noon, with attendees remaining relatively quiet.

Pallbearers picked up Carter's casket, slowly marching it out of the cathedral. 

His casket will be taken to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to go to its final resting place in Georgia. Carter will be laid to rest next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn. 

Rev. Andrew Young, a 92-year-old civil rights icon and close aide of Martin Luther King, Jr., called Carter a "miracle."

"It's still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia," Young said. 

Young said Plains, Georgia, and the county it was in, Sumter County, "gave us one of the meanest experiences that we had in the civil rights movement," so much so that Martin Luther King Jr. said Sumter County's sheriff was the meanest man in the world. 

Carter was a minority in Sumter County, where at the time, only 20-25% of the population was White.

So Young was suspicious about Carter when he first met Carter when he was running for governor, and all he knew was he was from Plains, Georgia. But over time, that opinion changed. 

"I saw in him the ability to achieve greatness by the diversity of his personality and his upbringing," Young said. 

Entering the U.S. Naval Academy, Young said Carter requested that his roommate be the first-ever Black midshipman, so he could help the other young man navigate his way in a largely white school. 

"But growing up as a minority, he became the friend of the majority," Young said. 

Jimmy Carter's grandson, James Carter, spoke Thursday at the former president's funeral, reciting the Beatitudes. 

Mr. Biden suggested Carter's work and legacy is sometimes misunderstood. 

"Many think he was from a bygone era, but he saw into the future," the president said. 

Mr. Biden said he misses Carter. But he takes solace in knowing that Carter is reunited with the love of his life, Rosalynn. 

"Jimmy Carter did justly, loved mercy, walked humbly," Mr. Biden concluded. "... May he be raised up on eagle's wings." 

In addition to highlighting Carter's "character," Mr. Biden also highlighted that Carter "held a deep Chrsitian faith in God that his candidacy spoke and wrote about." 

"The very journey of our nation is a walk of sheer faith to do the work to be the county we say we are, to be the country we say we want to be — a nation where we all created equal in the image of God and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives," Mr. Biden said. 

Mr. Biden noted that "we've never fully lived up to that idea of America," but he said "we've never walked away from it either because of patriots like Jimmy Carter."

"He showed us what it means to be a practitioner of good works and a good and faithful servant of God and of the people today," Mr. Biden said.

President Biden, clearing his throat before speaking, said Carter's life and legacy can be distilled to one thing: "Character." 

"Strength of character is more than title or the power we hold," Mr. Biden said he learned from Carter. "It's the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, respect. That everyone and I mean everyone deserves an even shot."

Mr. Biden said Carter started out in life with a house without running water or electricity, "and rose to the pinnacle of power." 

"The man had character," Mr. Biden said. "Jimmy held a deep Christian faith in God that his candidacy spoke and wrote about. Faith, as the substance of things hoped for, and evidence of the things not seen."

Faith can be lonely and difficult, but "it requires action to be the doers of the world," Mr. Biden said. 

President Biden began his eulogy shortly after 11:30 a.m. He noted that he was one of the first senators to endorse Carter's candidacy for president. 

Phyllis Adams, a longtime Delta flight attendant who met Carter years ago at the Carter Center, performed "Amazing Grace." The Carters were struck by Adams' performance years ago, and asked her to perform at his funeral eventually. 

Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter, said his grandfather was a man of humble roots who remained that way, and was the same person everywhere he went. Jason Carter said he "never perceived a difference between his public face and his private one." 

Jimmy Carter returned to his longtime home after the presidency. 

"My grandfather was likely to show up at the door in some 70s short shorts and some Crocs," Jason Carter said. In many ways, that house was like "thousands" of grandparents' houses in the South, Jason Carter said. It had fishing trophies, a refrigerator papered with the photos of grandchildren, and a main phone stuck to the wall in the kitchen, "like a museum piece." The house even had a rack next to the sink for hanging Ziploc bags to dry. 

One time, Jason Carter said his grandfather called him from his cell phone. The former president asked, "Who's this?" Jason Carter responded, "This is Jason. You called me." Jimmy Carter responded, "'I didn't call you, I'm taking a picture." 

Jimmy Carter was a unique Democrat, his grandson said — he cut the deficit, wanted to decriminalize marijuana, deregulated industries and championed craft beer. 

"Basically, all those years, he was the first millennial," Jason Carter said. 

And most of all, Jason Carter said, his grandfather praised God and loved others. 

"From the moment that he woke up, until he laid his head, his life was a testament to the goodness of God. And I thank all of you for being here to celebrate this life," Jason Carter said. 

Jason Carter, who highlighted some of the lighter moments of his grandfather's life, said "in the end, his life is a love story." Not just the love story between Jimmy and Rosalynn — who he called the "flagship of the fleet — but also the "broader love story about humanity."

"I believe that this love led him to preach the power of human rights. Not just for some people, but for all people," Jason Carter said. "It focused him on the power and promise of American democracy — Its love for freedom; its founding belief in the wisdom of regular people raising their voices — and democracy's requirement that you have faith and respect for the voices not just of some people, but of all people."

"For me, this life was a love story from the moment he woke up until he laid his head," Jason Carter said.

Like Ford's son, Ted Mondale, son of the late former Vice president Walter Mondale, read a eulogy written by his father for Carter. 

"My father wrote this in 2015 and clearly he edited it a couple times since then," Mondale said. 

The late vice president wrote that their common commitment to their faith created a bond between them that allowed them to understand each other. 

"We often spent hours together throughout the day. We were working on real problems, not wasting time," Mondale's eulogy read. "The personal relationship we established while in office continued throughout our life. 

"Carter was far-sighted," the eulogy continued. "He put aside his short-term political interests to tackle challenges that demanded sacrifice to protect our kids and grandkids from future harm."

Some "thought he was crazy" to fight so hard to pass legislation to fight climate change. 

"But he was dead right. And we know that now," the eulogy read. 

Read Ted Mondale full eulogy here. 

Steven Ford, son of the late President Gerald Ford, delivered a eulogy that his father wrote for Carter. 

Steven Ford said that one day, in the twilight of his dad's life, the two former presidents spoke by phone, and Ford asked Carter if he would deliver the eulogy at his funeral. Carter agreed, and asked Ford if he would deliver the eulogy at his service. Ford agreed. Ford died in 2006. 

So on behalf of Gerald Ford, Steven Ford delivered the eulogy his father wrote for his friend. 

For a brief season, the two were rivals, but friendship bonded them. 

The two became friends on a flight over the Atlantic Ocean after their presidencies, and discovered they had much in common. They commiserated over the pains and expenses of building presidential libraries, and the difficulties of finding peace in the Middle East. 

"Honesty and truthtelling were synonymous with the name Jimmy Carter," the eulogy read. 

Carter, who authored books post-presidency, did so because his family was in debt, but found it to be liberating. 

"Political defeat and writing can also be liberating," the Ford eulogy said. "It frees you to discuss topics that aren't necessarily consistent with short-term political popularity."

However far Carter traveled, he never forgot where home was — Georgia always had his heart. 

"Jimmy Carter's legacy of peace and compassion will remain unique as it is timeless," the eulogy concluded. 

Carter's grandson Joshua Carter, the oldest son of Jeff and Annette Carter, spoke first at the funeral service. He recalled his grandfather's faith and his devotion to teaching Sunday School, saying one of the only times he recalled the former president being late for Sunday School was when Joshua's brother died.

"At the end of his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, he stated the most serious and universal problem on our planet was the growing chasm between the richest and the poorest people on earth," Carter said. "For the next two decades as the problem compounded with stories from the Bible, from stories from today of the richest people in the world to buy a nation's poverty."

He also read a Bible passage from the Paul's letter to the Romans, which he said was the bedrock of his grandfather's faith. 

"For what the law was powerless to do, and that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering," Carter read. "And so he condemned sin and sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law may be met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what nature desires. But those who live in accordance with the spirit, have what their spirit desires." 

Carter's casket was carried into the cathedral at 10:15 a.m., and attendees rose to watch it ascend to the front of the cathedral. 

President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff all arrived at the National Cathedral shortly before 10 a.m. They are seated in the first row of the National Cathedral, in front of the former living presidents and their spouses. 

The second row of the service is filled with past presidents, and one president-elect, with former President Barack Obama seated next to President-elect Donald Trump, the man who questioned Obama's birth certificate and legitimacy as president. The two men were seen speaking to each other. 

From left to right, the seating is as follows: Former President Bill Clinton, former secretary of state and Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Barack Obama, President-elect Donald Trump and former and future first lady Melania Trump. Former first lady Michelle Obama is not present. 

President-elect Donald Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump entered the cathedral, walking to their seats in one of the front rows. 

Former Vice President Mike Pence stood to shake hands with Trump, in the first known time the two men have met since January 2021, when some of Trump's supporters chanted, "Hang Mike Pence." The relationship between the two was never the same, after Pence defied Trump's urging to alter the 2020 presidential election results. 

Military ceremonial troops marched into position ahead of Carter's arrival. Immediate family are disembarking from their vehicles and are being escorted inside the cathedral and escorted down the center aisle to their seats shortly before the start of the service. 

Once the family is seated, the rear hearse door opens, and the body bearer and color teams move to the rear of the hearse.

After a solemn ride through the streets of Washington, the hearse carrying Carter's casket arrived at the National Cathedral. 

Onlookers lined some of the streets to pay their respects. 

Carter's extended family entered the Cathedral ahead of the casket's entrance. 

Rev. Tony Lowden, Carter's personal pastor, reflected on the former president's tireless service for others and for his God. 

Speaking to CBS News, Lowden recalled when Carter fell one day before he was supposed to build for Habitat for Humanity. Lowden told Carter he shouldn't go. 

Lowden recalls Carter saying hospitals are like prisons: "'They're easy to get into and hard to get out. I need you to help me get out of this hospital so that I can keep my word.'"

Lowden said Carter swore an oath with his left hand on the Bible multiple times throughout his life. 

"In his mind and in his spirit, he never took his hand off that Bible, because he made a covenant with his God that he would serve this great nation and serve this world," Lowden said. 

"I lost a friend," Lowden added. 

The funeral procession is traveling through Washington, D.C., and is set to arrive at the National Cathedral at 9:30 a.m. 

Carter family members, Cabinet officials, Biden administration senior staff and other special guests including Vice President Al Gore departed on buses from the White House to the National Cathedral. 

Carter's casket was transferred to the hearse, which will start on its journey to the National Cathedral. 

There are expected to be 3,000 people at the Cathedral, including all the living former presidents. 

The departure ceremony for Carter started at 9 a.m. A military honor guard was maintained until shortly before the ceremony.

At the base of the U.S. Capitol steps, a special honor guard, honorary pallbearers and their spouses are awaiting the casket.

Carter's casket is being escorted by procession. The order of march is national color, clergy, body bearer team, and presidential color.

As the procession stopped at the top of the landing, ceremonial troops present arms and render honors: four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute)

Immediately following honors, the U.S. Navy band played A Mighty Fortress is Our God and then My Faith Looks up to Thee. On the first note of the first hymn, the body bearer team began moving down the steps through the ranks of the honor cordon, Special Honor Guard, and honorary pallbearers to the hearse. The order of march is national color, clergy, body bearers, and presidential color.

Carter's casket has been carried out of the Capitol Rotunda, where he was lying in state until Thursday morning. 

Members of the public lined up outside the Capitol building despite bitterly cold temperatures in Washington, D.C. President-elect Donald Trump also stopped by on Wednesday afternoon. 

The departure ceremony is set to start at 9 a.m. 

Former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral will be held Thursday at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has more on what to expect.

The public visitation period for Carter ended at 7 a.m. on Thursday, as his casket was dressed and set for departure.

The departure ceremony is set to start at 9 a.m.

 An estimated 3,000 people are expected to attend Carter's funeral, the National Cathedral said on Tuesday, in addition to President Biden, the living former presidents and President-elect Donald Trump. 

President Biden, who was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter's 1976 presidential bid, will deliver one of the eulogies. 

First lady Jill Biden, former and incoming first lady Melania Trump, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first lady Laura Bush are expected to attend the funeral, but Michelle Obama will not be in attendance.

Carter lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Tuesday afternoon until early Thursday, when his remains will be transferred with a ceremony to the National Cathedral. 

Members of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris, Cabinet secretaries and Carter's family members then paid their respects in a service in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday.

"Today, we gather to begin a final farewell to Jimmy Carter — Navy veteran, peanut farmer, governor of Georgia, and president of the United States," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, on Tuesday. "Sunday school teacher, Nobel prize winner, advocate for peace and human rights, and first and foremost, a faithful servant of his creator, and of his fellow man."

Carter's is the fifth official national funeral service for a president that has been held in the National Cathedral, following Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, the Very Rev. Randolph Hollerith, the dean of the National Cathedral, told reporters Wednesday. 

But "every funeral itself, whether it's presidential or otherwise, is completely unique," Hollerith added. 

He said that the cathedral generally has a limited period of time to prepare, "often eight to 10 days." The news of Carter's death meant "the entire Cathedral — all staff and everyone — we all went into the mode of preparing to honor him."

The service will comprise readings, prayers, eulogies a homily, and "there'll be lots of beautiful music, and there will be a military honor guard presence," Hollerith said.

"It'll be very dignified, and yet at the same time, very joyous," he added.

Hollerith believes that it's the setting aside of partisan rancor for the service that Carter would appreciate. 

"When we do a presidential funeral or a national gathering like this, it brings together left and right, Republicans and Democrats — both sides of the aisle in the Washington, D.C., area — come together," Hollerith said. "And I know he would love seeing America come together."

— Gillian Morley